Transfer Talk, June 9: Manchester United prepare blockbuster bid for Cristiano Ronaldo as Celtic make contact with James McFadden

James McFadden is a free agent after enjoying a short spell with Motherwell last season (Image: SNS)

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THEY are both hugely talented attacking players capable of producing moments of breathtaking magic on the pitch.

But the careers of James McFadden and Cristiano Ronaldo have taken wildly different paths in recent years.

Faddy is currently without a club after enjoying a short spell at Motherwell last season. Neil Lennon has already gone on the record to say he would be interested in signing the Scotland legend, and now it appears that moves have been made behind the scenes to make that transfer a step closer to reality - but only on the condition that Celtic fail to sign several other transfer targets.

Meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo could be on the verge of making a sensational return to Old Trafford as Manchester United weight up a record-breaking £65 million bid for the Real Madrid forward.

It's the stand-out news in today's Transfer Talk, but read on to find out who else is coming and going in Scotland, England and the rest of the world.

SCOTLAND

CELTIC: James McFadden could be on his way to Parkhead if moves to bring other players to Celtic fall through. The club has reportedly advised McFadden's agent that the player is still on Neil Lennon's radar. McFadden has already rebuffed an approach from Dundee United.

RANGERS: Ally McCoist is interested in signing former Hearts captain Marius Zaliukas. The Lithuanian defender was released from Tynecastle this summer as the Edinburgh club slash their wage bill.

ST JOHNSTONE: Tommy Wright has opened talks with the Perth club over taking charge at McDiarmid Park following the departure of Steve Lomas to Millwall.

INVERNESS: James Vincent has agreed a one-year deal with the Highland club. The former Kidderminster midfielder is Terry Butcher's fourth new signing of the summer, following deals for Ben Greenhalgh, Danny Williams and Adam Evans.

HIBERNIAN: New signing Owain Tudur Jones reckons his move to Hibs from Inverness could bring him closer to a Wales recall. The midfielder's last cap was two years ago.

MORTON: Teenager David Verlaque junior has been handed a two year deal by Cappielow boss Allan Moore. David's father, David senior, played for the Ton under Allan McGraw.

ENGLAND

MANCHESTER UNITED: Christian Ronaldo could be on his way back to Old Trafford in August as David Moyes weighs up a bid for the Real Madrid striker worth £65 million. Negotiations with the Portuguese are already said to be at an advanced stage. It is thought United would offer Ronaldo a record £300,000-a-week in wages.

Cristiano Ronaldo has remained popular with Manchester United fans despite his high-profile transfer to Real Madrid (Image: PA)

CHELSEA: Striker Demba Ba will be sold just five months after he arrived at Stamford Bridge unless he can convince returning boss Jose Mourinho he's worth keeping in London. The Portuguese is also interested in signing Bayern Munich's Mario Gomez as an alternative to Napoli's Edinson Cavani.

ARSENAL: Arsene Wenger is said to be ready to smash the club's transfer record by signing Real Madrid striker Higuain and German duo Gundogan and Bender.

MANCHESTER CITY: Edin Dzeko is set to be handed a lifeline by new City boss Manuel Pellegrini. The £27 million Bosnian striker seemed certain to depart the Etihad this summer after falling out of favour with Roberto Mancini last season.

TOTTENHAM: The White Hart Lane club have joined the race to sign Brazilian wonderkid Bernard from Borussia Dortmund. Spurs are also lining up a surprise move for Fulham winger Alex Kacaniklic.

EVERTON: New boss Roberto Martinez has no plans to hold transfer to Marouana Fellaini, who is linked with a switch to either Manchester United or Arsenal. Martinez is hoping to sign James McCarthy, Callum McManaman and Antolin Alcaraz from his former club Wigan.

ASTON VILLA: Christian Benteke will hold talks with Villa this week over his future. The club is prepared to offer him a substantial rise to his £20,000-a-week wages in order to convince him to stay. But that will not put off Spurs, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal who are monitoring the situation.

KAZAHKSTAN: Former Inverness, Aberdeen and Dundee United midfielder Stuart Duff has urged other Scottish players to join him in the former Soviet state. The midfielder moved to FC Kairat in February 2012 and claims it has been a "dream move" for him.

GHANA: Former Hearts star Laryea Kingston is quitting Ghanaian side Hearts of Oak to join US third-tier club Phoenix.